Abstract: A method of printing multiple swaths with a hand-operated printer having a target sight includes printing at least one alignment mark for a subsequent print swath during a printing of a current print swath; and aligning the target sight with the alignment mark prior to beginning printing of the subsequent print swath.

Abstract: A docking station includes a housing operable to receive and releasably secure a handheld printer, and a freeing mechanism, where the freeing mechanism is operable to release the handheld printer from the housing. The docking station also includes a print head cap operable to receive a print head of the handheld printer when the handheld printer is secured in the housing, and a print head wiper, where the print head wiper is operable to wipe the print head of the handheld printer during the release of the handheld printer from the housing.

Abstract: A portable printing device is described that monitors a print progress as an image is printed and generates an alert when an image has finished printing. Methods of detecting an end-of-image condition are described as are a variety of alert systems that notify the user that he or she has completed printing of an image.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a print engine having a print zone. A print media feed system transports a sheet of print media in a media feed direction along a media feed path through the print zone. The print media feed system includes a plurality of exit rollers positioned across a width of the media feed path. Each of a plurality of pressure rollers engages a respective one of the plurality of exit rollers to define a plurality of exit nips. A support structure mounts the plurality of exit rollers and the plurality of pressure rollers. The support structure positions the plurality of exit nips in an arrangement to define a transverse path across the width of the media feed path in the direction transverse to the media feed direction, the transverse path having a central portion and elevated portions on each side of the central portion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a memory device that is releasably connectable to a computer, and which contains at least one applications software package and associated data. Upon connection to the computer, the applications software package runs directly from the device without being uploaded or installed on the computer. In this way, a user of the device may work on any compatible computer using his or her preferred applications software packages and data, without having to configure the computer or install any particular software or data.

Abstract: An automatic edge guide assembly comprises a sheet feeding mechanism, a slide housing mounted within the sheet feeding mechanism and an edge guide slidably connected to the slide housing. The edge guide is biased by a first biasing force and a second biasing force, wherein the first force is greater than the second force, allowing for automatic edge alignment within a predetermined range of widths.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an imaging apparatus having a print engine and an interface port, and an operator module configured for detachable electrical and mechanical attachment to the interface port. The operator module includes a memory device for storing data, a user interface and a dedicated power source electrically coupled to the user interface and the memory. The operator module is configured to facilitate user interaction with the imaging apparatus when the operator module is attached to the interface port. Also, the operator module is configured to facilitate portable data playback when the operator module is detached from the interface port.

Abstract: A method for perforating a media includes (a) forming a first set of perforations beginning at a perforation row Rstart and ending at a perforation row Rend vertically spaced from the perforation row Rstart, wherein the media is moved in a first media feed direction substantially perpendicular to the bi-directional scanning path before each successive perforation in the first set of perforations; and (b) feeding the media in a second media feed direction opposite the first media feed direction by a distance D1.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a sheet separation surface positioned along the sheet feed path downstream from a media tray. A plurality of pivoting arms is mounted in the imaging apparatus. The pivoting arms are moveable between a first position and a second position. The pivoting arms are positioned and individually spaced along a width of the sheet feed path. Each of the pivoting arms has a media stack engaging surface. When the pivoting arms are in the first position, the media stack engaging surface is non-parallel to the sheet separation surface. When the plurality of pivoting arms is in the second position, the media stack engaging surface is parallel to the sheet separation surface.

Abstract: A system and method for electronic storage of data objects, including at least a first, designated foreground data storage device and at least a second, designated background data storage device, the data storage devices being connectable by way of at least one releasable connection, and an interface engine adapted to manage the transfer of data objects to and from the devices and also between at least two of the devices when the at least two devices are connected to each other, and to generate a logical stack of all the data objects stored in the system, including an index list of identifiers relating to the data objects, the index list being visible from any one of the designated data storage devices whether connected to another designated data storage device or not.

Abstract: There is disclosed a memory device that is releasably connectable to a computer, and which contains at least one applications software package and associated data. Upon connection to the computer, the applications software package runs directly from the device without being uploaded or installed on the computer. In this way, a user of the device may work on any compatible computer using his or her preferred applications software packages and data, without having to configure the computer or install any particular software or data.

Abstract: A method of performing computer-based on-line commerce in which a client computer issues a group of interrelated commercial requests and each one of a plurality of server computers is available to service at least one of said requests, said method, performed by an intelligent agent, comprising steps of: receiving the group of interrelated commercial requests from said client computer; and finding servers which will satisfy said group of requests using client preference levels indicating for each request at least one preferred value which the client would like the agent to use in finding a server to satisfy that request; characterized in that said finding step also uses a client significance level indicating for a corresponding request the relative significance of this request in comparison to the other requests in the group.

Abstract: An insulation blanket for a pipeline, comprising at least one insulating cell, wherein the or each insulating cell comprises a protective layer and an insulating layer.

Abstract: A fiber optic micro cable (10) includes a jacket (14) applied over a core (12) structure. The core (12) includes at least one optical fiber (20) positioned between longitudinally extending structural strength members (17), the strength members and the optical fibers being embedded in a buffer material (24). The strength members and the optical fibers are positioned in a common plane thereby resulting in a generally flat or rectangular shaped cable. The buffer material is selected to provide good adhesion with the jacket and to have a low modules of elasticity to distribute external forces applied to the cable. The jacket material is selected to have good adhesion to the buffer material and to be a tough and abrasion resistant material to further protect the cable core. The jacket is fabricated so that there is slightly more jacket material in the area of the strength members to thereby provide an external profile of the jacket with protrusions in the areas of the strength members.

Abstract: Cured cementitious compositions having a modulus of rupture of greater than 15 MN/m.sup.2 are prepared by curing and drying a homogeneous uncured cementitious composition which comprises in defined proportions hydraulic cement, water and a selected water-dispersible polymer.

Abstract: An improved droplet printing apparatus of the type wherein a succession of ink droplets directed at regular intervals along the same flight path may be individually charged to one of a plurality of charge levels by application of a voltage waveform of constant period to groups of drops. Each charged drop is deflected from the common flight path by passage through an electric field, to an extent dependent on the charge carried so that during relative motion between the apparatus and a surface to be printed ink drops may be deposited on the surface in successive rows extending transversely to the direction of relative motion; all ink drops not being required for deposition being directed into a drop intercepting means. The improvement comprises the provision of means for introducing a delay between adjacent voltage waveforms and means for directing all drops formed during such delay into the drop intercepting means.